§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the prior options studies of the Insolvency Service, companies registry and trading standards branches of the Department of Economic Development have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the outcomes. [18507]
§ Mr. AncramThese studies, which were undertaken by independent consultants, have been completed and Ministers have concluded that, given the size of the organisations involved, agentisation, either on an individual basis, or collectively, would be inappropriate. Ministers have agreed, however, that next steps principles should be applied to the management of the statutory and regulatory functions which all three branches are required to perform.